InStyle: Everything to Know About At-Home IV Drips
InStyle magazine recently interviewed Sam Torbati, MD, co-chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Cedars-Sinai, for an article about the risks involved with at-home IV vitamin therapy and the precautions to take before trying it.
Intravenous, or IV, vitamin drips have been sold as hangover cures, energy boosters and even beauty enhancers. These drips have grown popular in the self-care industry, which touts them as more effective wellness treatments than vitamins taken as oral pills.
But Torbati explained that most of a drip’s relief likely comes from the fluid itself.
"Most Americans do not drink enough water and other fluids, and drips can make them feel better with more energy," Torbati told InStyle. "For people who are more severely dehydrated, such as those with a hangover, the effect can be even more pronounced."
Torbati said it is important to approach IV vitamin therapy with caution. Before any treatment, a complete medical history should always be taken, he told InStyle.
He recommended getting an all-clear from a personal physician before taking the plunge, especially for those with chronic health issues. Torbati said that people with chronic conditions, such as congestive heart failure or kidney failure, can have serious reactions from a high volume of fluids.
Torbati also urged readers not to fall for dramatic claims that drips can burn fat or remove heavy metals. Consumers should keep in mind that a "professional hydration therapy provider" might not be a qualified medical professional, such as a doctor or a nurse, Torbati said.
Click here to read the complete article from InStyle.